On October 10th, five companies won $1 million investments at the tenth annual 43North startup competition. In the coming months, the winners will move into their new offices at Seneca One in downtown Buffalo. While one company is already based in western New York, the other four will be relocating to Buffalo from different parts of the country. With substantial funding in hand, these startups will focus on growing their businesses, with hiring as a top priority once they begin operations. 

43North’s newest cohort will be actively recruiting for dozens of key positions. If you’re interested in joining one of these startups, keep an eye on the 43North Compass job board or sign up to have jobs emailed directly to you each week. 

You can read more about each of the new 43North portfolio companies below. 

SpikyAI – Harnesses the power of AI to uncover insights, identify areas for improvement, and guide the path to success in your sales meetings. Automatically collects insights from every customer interaction for Voice of Customer analysis and Quality Assurance. SpikyAI is currently based in Brookline, MA. 

Rarebird – Freshly roasted coffee with Px, a natural caffeine alternative that energizes without the jitters or disrupting your sleep. Unlike caffeine, Px boosts alertness and reduces fatigue without making you feel over-caffeinated. Rarebird is currently based in San Francisco, CA. 

HeronAI – HeronAI is transforming data analytics, making insights and understanding accessible to those who can drive real change, without the barriers of technical complexity. HeronAI is currently based in Cambridge, MA. 

FoodNerd – FoodNerd is on a mission to redefine what kids eat today, tomorrow, and in the future. They craft delicious snacks while setting new standards for nutrient density. Believing that parents should never have to compromise their children’s well-being due to busy schedules, FoodNerd is dedicated to creating wholesome, convenient options packed with nature’s best ingredients. FoodNews is currently based in Buffalo, NY. 

CoverRight – Their mission is to bring transparency and accessibility to over 60 million Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S. By offering personalized recommendations through technology and friendly advisors, they simplify the often complex and stressful process, helping the 10,000 people retiring daily find and enroll in the right health insurance plan. CoverRight is currently based in Brooklyn, NY. 

Buffalo’s entrepreneurial spirit is certainly alive and well. If you’re ready to join our city in building something big, get your resume ready and head over to 43North Compass for a complete list of opportunities with the region’s hottest startups. 

TalentRise and Viaduct announced today that Peter Petrella has been named President, effective October 1, 2024.

As President, Petrella will oversee company strategy, drive growth initiatives, and enhance TalentRise’s and Viaduct’s service offerings to meet the evolving needs of their diverse client base. Petrella will spearhead the development of innovative talent acquisition solutions and leadership programs that align with the company’s mission to empower organizations with top-tier talent and leadership capabilities. Additionally, he will be responsible for expanding market reach, fostering strong client relationships, and leading operations to ensure seamless service delivery.

During Petrella’s tenure, TalentRise and Viaduct have become an industry leader in placing highly skilled leaders in the consumer and industrial manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, nonprofit, professional services, real estate, retail, and technology industries.

“Peter Petrella’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in driving the growth and success of TalentRise and Viaduct,” said Scott Stenclik, CEO of Aleron. “As President, Peter will continue to elevate our capabilities and expand our impact across industries, ensuring that we remain a trusted partner in executive talent acquisition and development. We are confident that under his guidance, TalentRise and Viaduct will continue to thrive and deliver exceptional value to our clients.”

“I am excited to take on this new role and continue building on the strong foundation we’ve established,” said Peter Petrella, newly appointed President. “Our focus remains on forging meaningful partnerships and delivering innovative talent solutions that empower organizations to achieve their leadership and growth objectives. I look forward to driving our business forward and exploring new opportunities to support our clients’ evolving needs.”